72

77

FINAL

Recap: Pelicans 77, Knicks 72

Posted Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:56 PM - Updated Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:19 PM

Playing under their new moniker for the first time, the rebranded New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) opened up the NBA Summer League 2013 with a 77-72 win over the New York Knicks (0-1) in Las Vegas at UNLV's COX Pavilion. Austin Rivers, the 10th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, paced the Pelicans with a game-high 24 points to accompany seven rebounds and six assists.

Besides River's contributions, New Orleans got 12 points from Darius Miller in the contest. Half of Miller's output -- the final six he'd score in the game -- came within a 38-second span midway through the fourth quarter. With 4:20 remaining on the clock in regulation, the 2012 second-round selection pulled his team even at 68-all with a deep three. Moments later he knocked down another try to put the Pelicans ahead for good en route to their five-point win.

After a first half that saw both teams build as much as seven-point advantages, the second half was tilted in New Orleans favor for all but 2:55. The Pelicans carried a three-point edge into the intermission behind a five-point spurt by Rivers.

The Pelicans outshot the Knicks 41.4% (29-of-70) to 39.4% (26-of-66) in a game that featured 13 lead changes and nine ties.

Tim Hardaway Jr., the 24th pick in this year's draft, led the Knicks with 13 points and also chipped in five rebounds and three assists.

The Knicks' Jeremy Tyler notched the tournament's first double-double with a combination of 11 rebounds and 10 points. Hardaway Jr. and Tyler were joined in double figures by teammate Toure Murray, who had 11 points in only 12 minutes of play.

The Pelicans also got 10 or more points from Cameron Morre (13 points) and Brian Roberts (10). Jon Brockman fell one point shy of joining Tyler in the double-double club with his nine points and 10 boards.

Both teams are back in action on Sunday with New York squaring off against the Washington Wizards at 1:00 pm in the COX Pavilion and New Orleans playing the Milwaukee Bucks in the Thomas & Mack at 5:30 pm.